Missouri Gaming Commission chairman to step down

Jim Mathewson, the chairman of the Missouri Gaming Commission will step down Friday. Matthewson chose not to stay for a second three-year term in order to spend more time with his family.

During Mathewson’s tenure with the Gaming Commission, Missouri’s 13th casino license was awarded to developers in Cape Girardeau and disassociated gamblers were provided a pathway to reinstatement. He says the main challenge now is raising enough revenue to help K-through-12 schools.

“Yes, the revenues are going down, but then I go one step further and wonder what would have happened if the casinos had not been here,” Matthewson said.

Mathewson also spent 30 years in the Missouri General Assembly, six in the House and 24 in the Senate. Gov. Jay Nixon has not yet announced a new chairman for the Gaming Commission.

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Missouri lawmakers are considering a measure allowing casinos to loan money to patrons, something opponents say could make things worse for those with gambling addictions.

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports that the House Financial Institutions Committee added the change onto a banking bill Wednesday with no debate. Committee members endorsed it by a 13-1 vote, sending the measure to the full House after the Rules Committee approves it.

Gamblers who pass a credit check would be able to borrow money and exchange it for electronic tokens and chips for wagering.